Baked Seafood Paella with Saffron and Chorizo
A vibrant baked paella layered with saffron-infused rice, smoky chorizo, shrimp, and mussels, delivering deep Spanish flavors. This spanish-inspired seafood ready in about 55 minutes pairs olive oil, medium, finely chopped onion, medium, diced red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 6 oz, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds Spanish chorizo
- 1 medium, finely chopped onion
- 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 1/2 cups short-grain rice (paella rice)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp, soaked in 2 tbsp warm water saffron threads
- 3 1/4 cups, warm chicken broth
- 12 large, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 12, cleaned and debearded mussels
- 1/2 cup, thawed frozen peas
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- for serving lemon wedges
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or paella pan over medium heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add 6 oz sliced Spanish chorizo and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly browned and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 medium finely chopped onion and 1 diced red bell pepper. Cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 4: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Then stir in 1 1/2 cups short-grain rice and 1 tsp smoked paprika, coating the rice evenly.
- Step 5: Pour in 3 1/4 cups warm chicken broth and the saffron threads soaked in 2 tbsp warm water. Season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Step 6: Arrange 12 large peeled shrimp and 12 cleaned mussels on top of the rice. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
- Step 7: Remove from oven, sprinkle 1/2 cup thawed peas and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the top. Let rest for 5 minutes.
- Step 8: Serve with lemon wedges for squeezing over each portion.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Seafood Paella with Saffron and Chorizo take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Seafood Paella with Saffron and Chorizo?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Seafood Paella with Saffron and Chorizo?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Seafood Paella with Saffron and Chorizo for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Seafood Paella with Saffron and Chorizo?
Spanish seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
